Precious Nwonu, Enugu

A retiring Justice of the Supreme Court, Ibrahim Saulawa, has cautioned politicians against sending gifts such as cows, rams and other items to judges, warning that such practices could compromise public confidence in the judiciary.

Saulawa spoke on Tuesday during a valedictory court session held in his honour following his retirement from the Supreme Court at the mandatory age of 70.

The jurist said he had previously expressed concern over the practice and urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to take steps to discourage politicians and other individuals from offering gifts to judicial officers.

He questioned the propriety of politicians sending livestock and other presents to Supreme Court justices, describing the practice as demeaning and inappropriate.

Saulawa, who spent 44 years in the legal profession, also recalled an incident in which an influential individual allegedly attempted to influence the outcome of a case involving him.

According to the retired justice, the individual offered him a brand-new Peugeot vehicle before judgment was delivered, but he rejected the offer.

He said the individual later sought the intervention of the Emir, Alhaji Muhammadu Kabir Usman, and a district head, Alhaji Balan Goggo, in an attempt to persuade him to accept the vehicle.

Saulawa said he remained firm and eventually convicted the individual in the case.

The retired justice urged judicial officers to remain committed to integrity, honesty and morality, stressing that judges must protect the independence and reputation of their offices.

He also said he deliberately stayed away from certain social gatherings while serving on the bench to avoid situations that could compromise his principles.

Saulawa further recounted his experience during the political crisis that followed the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

He was then serving as Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal and said the period was characterised by conflicting court orders over the conduct and announcement of the election results.

According to him, an interim order from the FCT High Court restrained the National Electoral Commission, then headed by Professor Humphrey Nwosu, from conducting the election and announcing its results, while some state high courts issued orders directing that the results be announced.

Saulawa alleged that the military was behind the conflicting legal processes and attempted to interfere with the judiciary during the crisis.

He said the then President of the Court of Appeal, Justice M. Akanbi, directed him to travel from Lagos to Kaduna and take control of the appellate court registry.

Saulawa said he supervised the registration of appeals and issuance of court processes before returning to Lagos to brief Justice Akanbi.

He added that the Court of Appeal subsequently took steps to address the situation, while attempts to infiltrate the judiciary were resisted.

Kekere-Ekun, who praised Saulawa for his service to the judiciary, also recalled an earlier encounter with the retiring justice involving an attempt to place personal interest ahead of judicial responsibility.

The CJN said both she and Saulawa had maintained that the integrity of judicial office must remain protected.

“The integrity of the judicial office admits of no compromise and that even the appearance of impropriety must be guarded against,” she said.

The valedictory session marked the end of Saulawa’s 44-year career in the legal profession.

Only six Senior Advocates of Nigeria and 13 other lawyers attended the ceremony. A representative of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Damien Dodo, SAN, attributed the relatively low attendance to what he described as miscommunication.